Van Dijk looks to Leicester

Virgil van Dijk says Southampton can be proud of their impressive defensive record, as they look to continue it when they visit Premier League champions Leicester City on Sunday.

Saints have now kept a clean sheet in each of their last five matches, winning the first four of those, before a 0-0 draw away to Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Europa League last night.

Van Dijk now wants to maintain that, as the side heads to King Power Stadium this weekend, and says the record is something for the whole team to take credit for.

"The defenders are not defending by themselves," said the centre-half.

"I think it starts up front and everybody can be proud of themselves, and hopefully we can keep this run going, then Sunday is going to be a massive game again – a great opponent, and I'm going to be ready for it, so I'm looking forward to it already.

"We have a good run going at the moment and hopefully we can continue that for the weekend as well."

Saints drew 2-2 with Leicester at home last season, before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away, and van Dijk is expecting another well-contested clash this time around.

"We have to respect the champions, and they won in the Champions League this week, so they're full of confidence as well," he said.

"It's going to be a great game, we're looking forward to it and it's another challenge for everyone, and everyone is focused and ready. We can beat anyone in the league, but it still needs hard work and us sticking together."